Unable to extract messages from stored DBX files

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the inability to extract messages from DBX files after a system wipe and reinstall of Windows XP Professional. The user attempted to recover messages using various DBX recovery tools, including Macallan Outlook Express Extraction, DBXtract, and DBXConv, but encountered issues where the programs executed without errors, yet no data was retrieved. A suggestion was made regarding the possibility of mistakenly creating shortcuts instead of copying the actual DBX files, which could explain the correct file sizes but empty contents.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of DBX file format and its use in Outlook Express.
  • Familiarity with Windows XP Professional operating system.
  • Knowledge of file recovery tools and their functionalities.
  • Basic troubleshooting skills for file management in Windows.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to properly copy and restore DBX files in Windows XP.
  • Learn about the functionality and limitations of DBX recovery tools like DBXtract and DBXConv.
  • Explore methods to verify the integrity of DBX files before attempting recovery.
  • Investigate alternative email clients that support DBX file import for potential data recovery.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for users who have experienced data loss in Outlook Express, IT professionals involved in data recovery, and anyone seeking to understand the nuances of handling DBX files in Windows XP.

MyronGold666
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I recently was forced to perform a complete system wipe and a reinstall of Windows XP Professional. I copied my DBX files to a DVD-ROM with all my other data, believing they would be available following the reinstall, as in previous undertakings.

However, after copying my DBX folders back to the hard drive, I am unable to drop them into OE and retrieve the messages. I have employed several DBX recovery programs, including Macallan Outlook Express Extraction, DBXtract, DBXConv and several others.

A strange thing happens when I try and use these programs to retrieve the messages or convert the folders' contents into .emls or any other formats: the programs seem to run without any error messages, yet nothing happens. Destination folders remain empty. It's like the DBX files are themselves empty, yet they are the correct file sizes from when I saved them.

So they can't be empty, right?
 
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Are you sure that you didn't accidently create a shortcut? Certain Windows files will create shortcuts by default when you just drag them from where they want to be. It would still show the correct size of the file that it pointed to when you 'saved' it but the data wouldn't be there.
 

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